Which description best captures the warning pattern used to alert MoW workers by bell and whistle?

• A. A single short blast
• B. A long continuous blast
• C. A long-long-short pattern
• D. A series of alternating short and long blasts

Answer: (C)

The idea behind warning signals is to have a distinctive, easy-to-recognize cue that tells workers on or near the tracks that a train is approaching and they need to clear the area. The two long blasts followed by a short blast creates a rhythm that stands out in noisy environments and is easy to memorize, so MoW crews know to react quickly. The bell ringing alongside this pattern provides an additional, separate cue, helping ensure the warning is noticed even if one signal is missed or lost in the surrounding sound. This combination is specifically assigned to alert MoW workers, making it more reliable for that purpose than other patterns.

A single short blast, a long continuous blast, or a series of alternating short and long blasts either lacks enough immediacy, is too ambiguous, or isn’t the standardized cue used to signal MoW workers to stop work and clear the area.